Mobility scooters provide independence and mobility to those who have trouble walking or standing for extended periods. However, like any mechanical device, they can encounter problems that require repair. Some of the common mobility scooter issues include battery failure, flat tires, malfunctioning ignition switches, and loose bolts.
While repairs can be costly, there are several ways to fix a mobility scooter without additional expenses. But for that you must know how to fix a mobility scooter without additional cost. For instance, you can get OEM bolts for replacing the old ones and maintain batteries with perfect recommendation to improve its life and mileage.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common mobility scooter problems and offer tips to solve them without breaking the bank. Whether you’re an experienced mobility scooter owner or just starting out, these cost-effective solutions can help your vehicle running smoothly and safely for years. So, let’s dive in and learn how to keep your mobility scooter in top condition!
Should You Fix Your Mobility Scooter Yourself?
We never recommend someone to fix his mobility scooter himself. Maybe fixing a mobility scooter seems simple to you, but it’s not so. No work is easy, every work needs effort. You know, when you know a sentence, a word is enough for you to understand, but if you are unaware, you won’t even guess the last word after telling the whole sentence.
If you don’t know how to fix a mobility scooter yourself and try it by seeing a tutorial or hearing from someone, it will be difficult for you. It will take lots of time, and you won’t understand what to do. Sometimes we make a mistake that makes us spend more than before. So it will be best not to try fixing your mobility scooter yourself.
How To Fix A Mobility Scooter (9 Common Problems and Solutions)
We made a proper guide to fix different problems of the mobility scooter. Read it carefully for better support.
1. Battery Issues
The most well-known reason for mobility scooter breakdowns is the battery. With steady charging and discharging, scooter batteries lose their capacity to hold a charge.
You should check the battery connections with ensuring they are secure and situated appropriately. You’ll be astounded how regularly they work free or the battery pack hasn’t been situated accurately. If the connections are secure, you should check the battery voltage with a multimeter. If the battery voltage estimates under 11.8, the battery is under 25% charged.
If further charging does not improve the perusing, the battery or the charger might be faulty and should be supplanted. Batteries are anything but difficult to change and you ought to have the option to acquire another one from your local service center.
2. Loose Connection
Here and there the issue is only a loose connection someplace that continues removing the power. One approach to realize it’s a loose connection is if the scooter cuts off when you hit a knock or go down a curb. The effect disengages the free wire. Restarting the bike may make it go again until you hit the following bump or curb.
If you can check for any loose wires connecting the engine or battery. Open up the battery and engine compartments. Then check whether any of the wires feel loose or looks strange. If you can’t discover any, request a technician to investigate.
3. Engine fault
The engine is one of the hardest segments of a mobility scooter. It’s hard for it to flop yet not feasible. The most well-known purpose behind engine failure is dampness infiltration. The engine lodging will regularly be shielded from dampness. However, dampness can discover its way in if the engine is presented to a great deal of water or submerged in it.
Coordinating a hose towards the engine, leaving the scooter in the rain, or driving in profound puddles would all be able to make the engine come up short which at that point slices off capacity to the wheels.
You can disclose to it’s an engine failure when the battery measure appears there is a charge and you can’t discover any lose connection.
Try not to endeavor this fix yourself, new engines are not costly to fit and it will give you the true serenity realizing that your scooter has been fixed by an expert and won’t separate while being used.
4. Switch Fault
A faulty switch is a typical issue of mobility scooters. They are presented to the components and inclined to consumption. This can cause the ignition key to stick or sever. If you have a severed key at the start, it can frequently be securely evacuated by utilizing a couple of tweezers.
A defective switch can make the mobility scooter either stop all of a sudden or neglect to begin. Here and there it can even toss the scooter into a turnaround without you doing anything.
If you are unable to evacuate the key, you can even now begin the scooter by utilizing a couple of needle-nose forceps to wind the leader of the messed-up key, enabling you to keep utilizing the scooter until you get an opportunity to fix it appropriately.
It might have taken some dampness or you may have greased up it. But never grease up the switch. Cleaning it may tackle the issue or you may need to purchase another switch.
Most issues will introduce themselves early, permitting you a lot of time for further examination. If all else fails, dependably counsel your nearby mobility scooter fix expert who ought to have the option to give further advice about a conceivable fix.
5. Electrical Issues
If your mobility scooter isn’t working because of electronic problems like it was outside in the rain, some internal electronic damage occurred. You have to take it to a professional technician. It’s not DIY work, so don’t try yourself. Or, if there is a wire losing problem due to using it on bumpy ground, you can try a simple fix. If it doesn’t work, go to a technician.
6. Fuses
A fuse is wired through many different parts of a mobility scooter. It distributes the electricity to prevents overload. If one specific part of your scooter isn’t working well, considering it’s a blown fuse. It’s not a big problem; you just have to change the fuse you can do yourself. Check the owner manual and buy the model of fuse the manual mentioned and install it.
7. Potentiometer
When your mobility scooter is slowing down without your permission automatically going slow, it means it’s facing the potentiometer failing.
Worried? Don’t be.
It’s not a big issue. Check the fuse is ok or not. If it’s broken, change it. And after replacing the fuse still, if it doesn’t work, you have no other option than to replace the whole part.
8. Armrests
Upholstery wearing out is a problem every rider faces after riding a mobility scooter for few years. It’s not a big problem, but it causes discomfort. Arm sets ensure safety and comfort. So it’s the most needed accessories you need. Once the arm sets are worn, you can’t fix them. So you have to replace them.
9. Faulty Tyre
Mobility scooters are hard-wearing and are intended to last a large number of miles. However, will, in any case, need supplanting every once in a while.
Tires ought to be checked normally, particularly around the sidewalls, and track for indications of wear. If you see the tires are split or the track example is worn, it is astute to get the tires supplanted before you experience a cut.
Worn tires can likewise influence braking execution and cornering dependability. So don’t put off checking your tires and don’t run your bike with worn ones. Having your mobility scooter adjusted on a customary, yearly premise will guarantee any ragged tires get the consideration they need.
Should You Fix or Buy a New Mobility Scooter
Yes or no isn’t the perfect answer. It depends on the amount you have to spend. Usually, if fixing the old mobility scooter cost more than buying a new mobility scooter, then you should buy a new one.
But before you make the decision, compare the performance of the mobility scooter. If your old scooter performance is quite good and it will start running well after spending a hefty amount still, you should do that. Because obviously, a new scooter that you will get in that amount won’t perform like that.
But if your scooter condition is terrible and won’t last long after fixing it, you should avoid fixing it and buying a new mobility scooter.
Things to consider
- If you have a lack of knowledge of electrician work, avoid any risk and don’t contact anything with wires.
- Leave any harmed electrical units to the experts on the grounds that over the long haul it will be less expensive.
- You would prefer not to lead any fixes if you are in part uncertain of what you are doing, particularly if it includes parts that could harm or badly arranged the user.
Conclusion
The utilization of mobility scooters has turned out to be progressively mainstream at present furnishing many disabled persons with help to the outside world. Besides, many people are interested in using the vehicle. As an owner of this vehicle, you should know how to fix a mobility scooter.
You are simply moving along when without notice the engine cuts off and the mobility scooter halts. For certain users, it happens when they are going up or down a curb. For other people, it’s bound to happen when going up an incline. For some others, it simply happens to pay little mind to where they are.